And folding machine



4 Sheets-Sheet '11 (No Model.)

A. CAMPBELL. SUPERIMPOSING AND FOLDING MACHINE. No. 321,683.

Patented-July 7, 1885.

WITNESS-ES:

- NVENTOR: Chm M d6 p By his fltz forneys,

li fg M (No ModeL) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

A. CAMPBELL. SUPERIMPDSING AND FOLDING MACHINE. NO.

u 6 lb u Patented July '7, 1885.

INVENTOR:

W X? By hisflttoz ways,

an m, mmurmnmu wuvuciamlza 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

A. CAMPBELL. SUPBRIMPOSING AND FOLDING MACHINE.

Patented July 7. 1885 l-NVENTQR Wm M By his .dttorlwys,

WITNESSES:

4She6ts-Sheeb 4.

(No Model.)

' A. CAMP-BELL. SUPERIMPOSING AND FOLDING MACHINE.

Paten-td July 7, 1885 Q Q 1: 13 v 3% INVENTOR:

By his Jitter-ma WITNESSES:

UNITED Srarns @rrren.

ANDREW' CAMPBELL, OF BROOKLYN, ASSIGNOR TO J OHN AND EDMUND MOLOUGHLIN, OF NEYV YORK, N. Y.

SUPERIMPOSING AND FOLDING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 321,683, dated July '7, 1885.

Application filed May 20, 1884.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, ANDREW CAMPBELL, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Brooklyn, Kings county, New York, have invented an Improved Superimposing and Folding Machine, of which the following is a speci fication.

The object of my invention is to sever a double sheet from the Web, divide this into two sheets, superimpose the sheets thus formed, and then fold them at the middle. The folded sheet may then be delivered onto a table, or be carried into mechanism for effecting further folds, as may be desired.

In carrying out my invention, a portion of the elements of mechanism I. employ are identical with those embodied in my pending application X0. 132,152, for a patent for a retary foldingmachine. I have, however, arranged the mechanism somewhat differently herein, and some portions of it possess novel features of construction, all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings, which serve to illustrate my invention, Figure 1 is a view in the nature of an illustrative diagram, showing all the principal features of the machine, but omitting many of the details. Figs. 2 to are fragmentary detail views designed to illustrate the construction of the cylinder bearing the first folding-blade, and the mechanism for dividing and superimposingthesheet. Fig. 2is an end elevation. Fig. 3 is a sectional side elevation. Fig. 4. is a section on line 4 4. in Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 is a section on line 5 5 in Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a sectional diagram on a smaller scale, designed to illustrate the opera tion of the mechanism for actuating the blade that divides the sheets. Fig. 7 is an end elevation of a part of the main folding-cylinder, the first and second folding-blade cylinders. The main cylinder is partly broken away to show the air passages or conduit of the pneumatic grip. Fig. 8 is a sectional view on a larger scale, showing the construction and arrangement of the folding and delivery rollers. Fig. 9 is a diagram of the sheet, showing the line of division at the center and the lines of the fold; and Fig. 10 is an edge view of the (No model.)

sheet, showing the superimposition and folding.

To impart a clear understanding of the construction and operation of my machine, Iwill now describe it with reference to Fig. 1.

A represents the paper entering the press from a continuous roll or web. '13 is the first impression-cylinder. C- is the first form-cylinder. D is the large impression-cylinder. E is the second fornrcylinder, and a a. are friction-carrying rollers.

The parts B, C, D, and E belong to the printing-press or machine, and are herein shown only for the purpose of illustration.

From a c the paper passes to the foldingcylinder F, which carries two sets of folding and peripheral delivering mechanism that I will designate as a whole by the letters G G. These mechanisms are precisely alike, and are arranged diametrically opposite each other.

H is the cutter which sevcrs the sheet from the web.

lie the cylinder which carries the first foldingblade and the blade for dividing the sheet at the time the folding-rollers nip the bight or fold of the sheet. This, for convenience, I will call the ifirst foldingblade cylinder.

J is the cylinder which carries the second foldingblade, and which I will call the second folding-blade cylinder. K is a supporting-roller for the sheet as it is carried forward. This roller, the body of which is indicated by the dotted circle in Fig. 7, does not touch the cylinder F peripherally, but i is, or may be, driven from F by a friction-wheel on the end of K.

L is an off-bearing cylinder, which seizes the superimposed and once-folded sheets and bears them off to mechanism for imparting asecond fold. This mechanism may be of any kind desired; or the sheet may be delivered onto a table if no more folds are required.

The cylinders F, I, and L are each provided with pneumatic or other grips; butpreferably pneumatic grips, and all of the cylinders are geared together in such amanner as toinsure a like peripheral velocity in all.

The end of the paper is seized by the pneumatic grip oncylinder F and carried around until it reaches the point where the first folding-blade cylinder I contacts with F. The cylinder I then seizes the edge of the paperand cylinder F releases it. The paper now wraps itself around cylinder I until the latter has made a half-revolution. At this moment several events take place almost si1nultaneously the grip on the cylinder I releases the forward end of the paper, the cutter H severs the sheet from the web, the first folding-blade borne by cylinder I forces the middle of the sheet down between the folding-rollers b b in the mechanism G, and the dividing or severing blade, car ried by the cylinder I, descends and divides the sheet at the fold. Both sheets, superimposed, are now carried in by the folding-rollers b I), pass between guides c to the delivery-roller d, and are thence delivered through a delivery-aperture, e, tangential to the periphery 'of cylinder F and in a backward direction. The cylinder F continues to rotate, and at the moment the rollers b b are brought under the cylinder J the middle of the superimposed sheets will be in position to be acted on by the second folding-blade borne by cylinder 'J, and this blade will drive them down between rollers b. The peripheral speed of the main cylinder Fand the speed with which the sheets are moved by rollers 12 b and d are relatively such as to bring the middle of the superimposed sheets under the second foldingblade at the same instant that the rollers b b are brought under the same. The folded backwardly-moving edge of the sheet may pass freely under roller K in taking position for the second fold. The folded sheets will be a second time carried through the folding mechanisinGand delivered at e. In the meantime, however, the continued advance of cylinder F will have brought the folded edge of the sheet as it passes out at e to the point where the off-bearing cylinder L tangents F, when said edge will be seized by the pneumatic grip on L and carried off in the direction of arrow f.

The peripheral speed of the folding-rollers b and delivery roller (Z is twice the speed of the web. This is attained through the medium of a fixed circular rack, M, and a train of toothed gears, g, driven from said rack by the rotalion of cylinder F. The cylinders I and J and the cutter H are driven through the medium of a gear-wheel or toothed rack on cylinder F.

The cylinder L, which rotates in the opposite direction, is driven from cylinder F through an intermediate gear, X.

Referring now to Figs. 2 to 6, I will de scribe the construction of the mechanism of the cylinder I. In the ends of this cylinder is rotatively mounted a shaft 71, in which is fixed the first folding-blade t. On the end of shaft 71 is fixed a gear-wheel, j, which meshes with an intermediate stud-wheel, k, on the end of the cylinder, and this wheel is meshes with a fixed wheel, Z, concentric with the axis of the cylinder, which is the same size as the wheel j. The effect of this gearing is such that when the cylinder I is rotated the folding-blade i always stands parallel to a plane passing through the axes of the cylinders I and F. This constitutes the mechanism for operating the folding-blade.

I will now describe the cutter for severing the sheet at the fold. m is the cutting-blade, which'is usually serrated. This blade is thin and lies close to the foldingblade t. The cutting-blade is secured to two or more stems,

a, (only one shown in Fig. 3,) which play through diametrically-arranged mortises in shaft h. 7

On the upper ends of these stems are fixed yokes 0, in which are arranged eccentrics p, fixed on a shaft, q, mounted rotatively in bearings q, fixed on the shaft h. Around the shaftq is a spring, 7', one end of which is fastened to the shaft and the other to the shafts bearing. Now, if shaft g be rotated a halfrevolution the eccentrics p, acting on the yokes 0, will draw up or retract the cuttingblade on, and also put the spring a" under greater tension; but if it be then released the elasticity of the spring will, by quickly rotating the shaft q, drive the cutter out a little beyond the edge of the folding-blade.

I will now describe the mechanism for automatically drawing back and releasing the cutting-blade, so that it may sever the sheet at the fold at the proper moment.

In the operation of the machine, the spring 1' is normally under some tension, and in winding it up the shaft q makes a full revolution, so that, when freed, it will make a full revolution backward, and thus protrude and retract the cutting-blade m. This is necessary in order that the blade may be withdrawn quickly from between the folding-rollers the instant the sheet is severed.

On the end of the shaft q is fixed a pinion, s, which meshes with a pinion, t, of twice its size, which is loosely mounted on a part, a, of shaft h, which part is turned or made a little eccentric to the axis of said shaft h. On the boss of pinion t, adjacent to the inner face of the head of cylinder I, is a projecting tooth or horn, t, which may, under certain conditions, catch on a detent piece or block, w, on the head of the cylinder I. The operation of this device is illustrated in Fig. 6, where the horn v and block 10 are shown in four positions. As the cylinder I revolves the block w revolves relatively around shaft h and concen trio with the axis of the latter; but by reason of the horn 22 being mounted on the eccentric portion a of shaft h, said horn will, at the halfway point in the revolution, be protruded into the path of block w, and will catch on it,where it will be held for half a revolution. As shaft It continues to rotate this will have the effect to rotate shaft q a full revolution and wind up spring 1; but in the last quarter of the revolution of the cylinder I the horn n has been drawing off from block w, and at the instant the folding-bladed forces the bight of the sheet down between the folding-rollers b b the horn v slips off the detent and the spring rimparts IIO a single rapid revolution to the shaft q,which, acting through cams p and yokes 0, suddenly protrudes and retracts the cutting-bladem and severs the sheet at the bight or fold. In order to check the recoil and keep the spring r under some tension, I provide the pinion t with a pin, t, to engage or take under a leaf-spring, a, secured to the bearing of the shaft q, as best shown in Fig. i. It will be observed that piniont makes but a half-revolution,while shaft g makes a complete revolution.

The second folding-blade cylinder J is constructed precisely "like cylinder I, except that the cutting-blade and its operative mechanism is omitted, and also the pneumatic grip.

The pneumatic grip with which the cylinders F, I, and L are provided, is constructed precisely like that shown in my pending application before referred to, (and is a wellknown deviceinitself,) and I will simply say that it comprises an air-trunk, :0, which extends the length of the cylinder at its periphery and which is perforated with a row of small holes. This trunk communicates by an airpassage, 3 with a port in the end of the cylinder, which port is covered at proper inter vals by a stationary valve, z, which is in communication with a suitable airexhausting device. Thus the sheet is seized and held for the proper length of time and then released.

I will say here that the folding mechanism G G borne by the folding-cylinder, the folding-blades, the cutter H, the off-bearing cylinder L, and the pneumatic grip are all shown in my pending application before referred to; and I do not claim them specifically herein.

The off bearing cylinder L may have me chanical grippers similar to those employed in cylinder printing-presses, in lieu of a pneumatic grip. Indeed, as it has to deal with the folded edge of the superimposed sheets,I would prefer to employ a grip of this kind; but as these, as well as pneumatic grips, are well known, I have not deemed it necessary to show and describe one herein.

The cylinder F may bearone or more of the folding mechanisms G; but I usually prefer to employ two sets, as shown.

By omitting the cutter from the cylinder I the sheet may be twice folded, each time at its middle, the lines of the folds being parallel; and this may be useful in some cases. The essential idea is the two folding-blades so arranged as to act in succession on the sheet in connection with one folding and delivering mechanism G borne by cylinder F. Indeed, more than two folding blades may be arranged to act in succession on the sheet as it passes through one folding and delivering mechanism G to produce as many folds. To

economize space and save repetition, I have only shown one eccentric p and yoke 0 for reciprocating the cutter m, and one"'eecentric and yoke will serve; but I usually employ one at each end of the cutter, as the latter is often quite long. I have only indicated the position of the pneumatic grip on cylinder I to avoid repetitiomas it is conslructedms I have said above, precisely like that on the cylinder Rand is,besides, adevice well known to those skilled in the art.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. The combination, in a rotary folding-machine, of a main folding-cylinder bearing a folding and peripheral delivery mechanism, constructed substantially as described, a cutter to sever the sheets from the web, a first folding-blade cylinder provided with a folding-blade and its operative mechanism, constructed substantially as described, and a second folding-blade cylinder provided with a folding-blade and its operative mechanism, constructed substantially as described, for producing the second fold in the sheet at the periphery of the main cylinder after the sheet has been once folded and delivered at the periphery of the main cylinder, as described.

2. The combination, in a rotary folding and superimposing machine, of a main foldingcylinder bearing a folding and peripheral delivery mechanism, constructed substantially as described, a cutter to sever the sheets from the web, a first folding-blade cylinder provided with a folding-blade and cutter and their operating mechanisms, constructed substantially as described, and a second folding-blade cylinder provided with a foldingblade, its operative mechanism,constructed substantially as described, for efi'ecting a second fold in the sheet folded and cut by the operation of the first folding-blade cylinder, as set forth.

3. The combination, in a rotary folding-machine, of a main folding-cylinder bearing a folding and peripheral delivery mechanism, constructed substantially as described, a cutter to sever the sheet from the web, a first folding-blade cylinder provided with apneumatie grip and with a folding-blade and its operative mechanism,constructed substantially as described, and a second folding-blade cylinder provided with a folding-blade and its operative mechanism,constructed substantially as described, all arranged to operate sub stantially as set forth.

4. The combination, in a rotary folding-machine, of a main folding-cylinder bearing a folding and peripheral delivery mechanism, constructed substantially as described, and arranged to receivethe sheet at one point on the periphery of the main foldingcylinder and to deliver it in a backward direction at another point on the periphery of said cylinder, and two folding-blades and their operative mechanism, constructed substantially as described,mounted at different points and adjacent to the periphery of the main foldingcylinder, and arranged, as described, to act in succession on the sheet to produce two folds in the same, whereby the same folding and delivery mechanism in the main cylinder is utilized to effect both folds in the sheet, as set forth.

5. The combination, with the first foldingblade cylinder, the folding-blade and its shaft IIO borne thereby, and the gear-wheels for effect ing the proper rotation of saidshafdof the cutting-blade provided with a yoke, the shaft q, provided with an eccentric and a pinion, s, the spring 1', the pinion t, mounted loosely on an eccentric portion, u,of the fo1ding-b1ade shaft, and provided with a horn, o, and the block or detentw,a1l arranged to operatesubstantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed 10 my name in the presence of two subscrlblng witnesses.

ANDRE? CAMPBELL.

i tness es:

HENRY OONNETT, ARTHUR O. FRASER. 

